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Editor's note: This is an updated version of the front page article appearing in this week's print publication of the Perham Focus. The New York Mills City Council last week approved its portion of a deal that could bring more affordable housing into town. The city has agreed to sell a developer land for $1 for the construction of a large rental housing development. Both the developer and the NY Mills Economic Development Authority still need to approve and sign the contract before the deal is finalized. The potential agreement will allow the developer to purchase land in the Country View

A third assisted living home has opened in Perham, and this one offers rooms for married couples - something not always available. "A lot of times married couples are separated...that is why we wanted to offer shared rooms for couples," said Julie Reitmeyer, owner of the new assisted living home, in an interview last week. Julie and her husband David Reitmeyer officially opened the doors to 7th Heaven Assisted Living, LLC on Jan. 1.

January is the time of year when New Year's resolutions result in a surge of memberships at fitness and community centers. Many people resolve to become healthier or lose weight, with every intention to follow through with their plans. Yet the trend continues that, a couple months down the road, resolutions are forgotten.

On her seventh day as mayor of New York Mills, Julie Gerber delivered her first State of the City address, highlighting events of the past year. Gerber told a crowded room at the 20th annual NY Mills Civics and Commerce dinner on Monday night that there was a building permit surge last year, with estimated total cost of building projects coming in at $3.1 million, more than in the last five years combined, "The most exciting part was that this included three new homes," Gerber said. Many residential rehab projects took place last year, partly because of a small cities grant that contribute

A man found walking in Perham without winter clothes on was arrested after it was discovered he had an outstanding felony warrant in Becker County, and for allegedly giving a false ID to an officer. The Perham Police Department responded to a call on Jan. 1 of an individual walking along Highway 34 without appropriate winter clothing. According to Perham Police Chief Jason Hoaby, the individual was Arlan Bergstrom, age 19, of Detroit Lakes. Bergstrom allegedly identified himself to police using a name that did not match the identification found in his pocket.

The freestanding blue U.S. Postal Service mailbox outside the Perham Post Office was damaged on Jan. 3. It is unknown whether any mail was stolen. The incident was reported to the Perham Police Department at 5:10 a.m., according to a police report. When officers arrived, they found the pull-out drawer yanked from the box and lying on the ground. The damage is a federal offense. The police have no suspects at this time. An investigation is ongoing.

April Wilsey was in fifth grade when she first met up with her mentor, Jan Parta, through Perham's Kinship program. Now, seven years later, Wilsey is a senior at Perham High School, looking forward to prom, graduation and heading off to college.

From the Focus Facebook page: "To keep up with my studies and graduate this coming May." -Cindy Brown Doll "I'd like to go to New York City to see sights around the city. I'd like to go to the 9/11 museum." -Ry-man Andrew Schattschneider "Finally get around to last year's resolution to quit procrastinating. Starts next week.

The 60 residents of Elders' Home and Heritage Manor in New York Mills made it onto Santa's 'good list' this year, prompting a visit from Ol' Saint Nick on Christmas Eve. Santa, along with some local helpers, delivered presents, flowers and cookies to the residents as part of the Sixth Annual Adopt-A-Grandparent for Christmas. "I appreciate it very much that we are thought of so much," said Dorothy Helmrichs after receiving her gift. Helmrichs had been at the Elders' Home for two years.

Rural communities in Otter Tail County may have more public transportation options by this time next year, thanks to a new program from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. After a recent announcement that Otter Tail County was one of Minnesota's 13 most dangerous drunk driving counties for the second year in a row, the county was asked to be one of four counties to pilot a new program called "Joyride." "Joyride is a toolkit that is being piloted by the state of Minnesota for communities that want to develop a safe ride program," said Jane Patrick, coordinator of the Safe Communities C